U-BOAT WAR: Doenitz and the evolution of the German Submarine Service 1935 - 1945 [Hardcover]

David Westwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2005

This book is an in-depth study of the U-boat section of the German navy, which came so very close to bringing Britain to its knees during the Battle of the Atlantic in 1941-2.

It looks at prewar German efforts to buildup and reinvigorate the U-boat theory of war, consulting hitherto lightly-researched material in the Bundesarchiv, and the U-Boat Diary during the war. It follows the clandestine U-boat research of the 1920s and early 1930s, and the effects of the assumption of power by the Nazi Party in 1933.

It investigates Doentiz's early career and his subsequent efforts to run the U-boat arm during the Second World War. It does not stop here; it will constitute a thorough new look at the entire U-boat campaign from the start of the war through to the final days, and points out the moments when fortunes changed for both sides. In particular it highlights the technological developments which made success for the Allies inevitable. It also criticizes Doenitz's strategy, in that he was too much of a 'father' to the U-boat arm; he failed to strategise purposefully; failed to persuade Goering of the value of air reconnaissance; and so on.

It also looks at the development of the electro- and Type-XXI U-boats which, had they been part of a more organized effort, might have changed the pattern of the second half of the war. There will be drawings and photographs and an extensive bibliography.

REVIEWS

"skillfully chronicles the logistical issues and technological gains that worked for and against the U-boats... Westwood's studied analysis of the tactics, planning, technology, and logistics that elevates his book above mere war chronicle. "Subisms.com

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Casemate (May 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932033432
• ISBN-13: 978-1932033434
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,043,717 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Extremely detailed account of the U Boat war., May 9, 2009

By 

Don Latta (Chicago) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: U-BOAT WAR: Doenitz and the evolution of the German Submarine Service 1935 - 1945 (Hardcover)

Much detail, in some areas more than could keep my interest. Covered a number of things that were entirely new to me.

Draws a number of interesting conclusions regarding the causes of the German defeat, which it draws as not necessarily being inevitable. Leadership in the German Navy is covered rather extensively.

2 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Boooooring book., January 11, 2009

By 

Edith Campins ""Skeptical"" (Palm Coast, FL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: U-BOAT WAR: Doenitz and the evolution of the German Submarine Service 1935 - 1945 (Hardcover)

Book was too technical, full or redundancy. Good as a sleeping potion, not as a submarine read.